Open AccessMethods of a multisite randomized clinical trial of supported employment among veterans with spinal cord injury
Author(s) -
Lisa Ottomanelli,
Lance L. Goetz,
Charles McGeough,
Alina Surís,
Jennifer L. Sippel,
Patricia L. Sinnott,
Todd H. Wagner,
Daisha J. Cipher
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
journal of rehabilitation research and development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1938-1352
pISSN - 0748-7711
DOI - 10.1682/jrrd.2008.10.0145
Subject(s) - tetraplegia , rehabilitation , spinal cord injury , supported employment , randomized controlled trial , paraplegia , physical therapy , medicine , veterans affairs , vocational rehabilitation , physical medicine and rehabilitation , vocational education , quality of life (healthcare) , unemployment , psychology , psychiatry , nursing , work (physics) , spinal cord , mechanical engineering , pedagogy , surgery , engineering , economic growth , economics
This article compares the methods of a randomized multisite clinical trial of evidence-based supported employment with conventional vocational rehabilitation among veterans with spinal cord injury (SCI). The primary hypothesis is that, compared with conventional vocational rehabilitation (i.e., standard care), evidence-based supported employment will significantly improve competitive employment outcomes and general rehabilitation outcomes. The secondary hypothesis is that evidence-based supported employment in SCI will be more cost-effective than standard care. The current article describes the clinical trial and presents baseline data. The present sample includes 301 veterans with SCI, which includes paraplegia (50%), high tetraplegia (32%), and low tetraplegia (18%). Baseline data indicate that 65% of this sample of employment-seeking veterans with SCI had never been employed postinjury, despite the fact that nearly half (41%) had received some type of prior vocational rehabilitation. These rates of unemployment for veterans with SCI are consistent with the rates reported for community samples of persons with SCI. Forthcoming outcome data will provide much needed insights into the best practices for helping these veterans restore vocational goals and improve overall quality of life.